Chapter 48: Chapter 42: Pairing Up

The next morning, Isla Prescott returned to East Lane.

Her mother, Susan Dudley, had already composed herself. She had rolled up her sleeves and was bustling about in the yard, enthusiastically preparing potatoes for her afternoon stall. Only then did Isla Prescott feel relieved. She returned to the studio to start her own work.

Although the grand opening event was over, there was still a mountain of follow-up tasks to wrap up.

Isla Prescott buried her head in work all morning. At noon, Annabelle Leighton ordered takeout. Isla had just washed her hands and was about to go to the breakroom to eat when she heard Kiki Ford call out “Young Mr. Shaw” from the entrance.

She thought she had misheard.

Shane Sterling might be nonchalant, but he wasn’t some jobless drifter. As the head of Meritopia’s top publicly listed company, Sterling Group, he couldn’t possibly be idle enough to drop by their studio every day.

But when she glanced to the side, she saw Shane Sterling himself striding confidently down the hallway.

“What are you doing here again?” Annabelle Leighton asked bluntly, munching on her salad.

“Inspecting the mall,” Shane Sterling said.

“No, seriously, what’s so special about this mall? You, the big-shot president, keep coming to inspect it all day long. It’s making everyone nervous.” Annabelle Leighton put down her plate. “Shane Sterling, be honest. Is there something weird about this place? Is that why you rented it to us so cheaply?”

“What could possibly be weird about a mall?”

“Then you’re the one who’s acting weird!”

Shane Sterling casually pulled over a chair and sat down, his gaze sweeping over to Isla Prescott. “You’re right, something is a little off with me. I took the subway for the first time last night, and I was so wound up I couldn’t sleep a wink. Ms. Prescott, you tell me, what could be the reason for that?”

Isla Prescott was so hungry all she wanted to do was eat. She lowered her head to open her takeout container, not even looking at him as she said, “That’s probably because you’re too sheltered.”

Shane Sterling laughed. “Sounds like you slept well. You’ve got plenty of energy for witty retorts.”

Isla Prescott didn’t say anything.

’She hadn’t slept well either. The subtle, simmering tension between them last night had clung to her all night. Every time she tossed and turned, it felt like she was breathing in powdered sugar.’

’The sweetness was suffocating.’

Annabelle Leighton was completely lost. “What are you two talking about? Is there something I don’t know?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Tsk, fine, keep your secrets. But I’m warning you, don’t you get any ideas about our Isabelle.”

Shane Sterling adjusted his posture, looking as if he was about to make another provocative remark. Isla Prescott quickly cut him off, changing the subject. “Sean, what are you really here for?”

Only then did Shane Sterling reveal his true reason for coming. It turned out that Ezra Sterling wanted to invite Isla Prescott and Annabelle Leighton to dinner and had asked him to pass on the message.

Ezra Sterling hadn’t forgotten their kindness in saving Chloe Kerr. Chloe hadn’t been doing well for a while, which was why he had delayed expressing his gratitude. But now that Chloe had recovered, Ezra wanted to thank them in person.

“Ezra’s treating us to dinner?” Annabelle Leighton immediately perked up. “Is he inviting Officer Hayes?”

“You’ll have to ask him. I’m just the messenger for you two.”

“Well, I’m free,” Annabelle Leighton said, nudging Isla Prescott with her elbow. “Isabelle, what about you?”

Aside from work, Isla Prescott didn’t have much of a social life, so of course, she was free too.

“Alright then. I’ll have a driver pick you up tomorrow evening.”

—

Ezra Sterling had chosen a newly opened manor-style restaurant in Meritopia. It featured a neo-Chinese design with white walls and dark tiles. Just inside the entrance were pine-and-rock bonsais and a water-feature screen wall, creating a scene of poetic beauty.

Shane Sterling came out to greet them.

His suit today was also Chinese-style, made of matte satin. The subtle embroidery on the cuffs and hem exuded an understated luxury, making him appear all the more distinguished and noble.

“Is Officer Hayes coming?” Annabelle Leighton asked the moment she saw him.

“He is, but he hasn’t arrived yet.” While answering Annabelle Leighton, Shane Sterling naturally walked over to Isla Prescott’s side and reached for her bag.

It might have just been his way of being a gracious host, but Isla Prescott, feeling self-conscious, quickly sprang back a step and waved her hand, indicating she could carry her own bag.

Shane Sterling didn’t insist and led them into the private room.

Inside the private room, Ezra Sterling and Chloe Kerr were waiting for them.

Back when Isla Prescott lived with the Lockwood Family, she had heard that the neighboring Sterling Family had a younger son who was born deaf and mute and lived a very secluded life. In all her years at Arcadia Heights, she had never once seen Ezra Sterling.

Ezra Sterling was very handsome, but in a different way from Shane Sterling. He had softer, more delicate features, unlike Shane, whose features were classically strong and bold—his bone structure alone was intensely striking.

“Miss Leighton, Miss Prescott, thank you for helping me back then. I was saved thanks to you.” Although Chloe Kerr had moved past the trauma, her eyes still reddened as she spoke of their life-saving help.

Ezra Sterling, standing beside her, put an arm around Chloe Kerr’s shoulders. Unable to speak, he could only offer Chloe strength with his gaze while also conveying his gratitude to Isla Prescott and Annabelle Leighton.

“It’s alright, don’t worry. The important thing is that you’re safe now. You have no idea how worried Ezra was about you,” Annabelle Leighton said.

Chloe Kerr looked at Ezra Sterling, and the two exchanged a knowing smile.

Just as they were talking, Morgan Hayes arrived.

It had been a while, but Morgan Hayes looked the same as ever: a neat, clean-cut buzz cut and a resolute gaze.

After they all exchanged greetings, they began to take their seats. Annabelle Leighton, who had been linking arms with Isla Prescott, found an excuse to subtly move over to sit beside Morgan Hayes the moment he arrived. Isla was left on her own and had to just pick a random seat.

She had just sat down when Shane Sterling walked over.

“You don’t mind if I sit next to you, do you?” he asked politely.

Before Isla Prescott could even reply, she heard him add, “Everyone else has paired up. We might as well make a pair, too.”

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